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A lion at the 2008 celebrations

Birmingham's Chinese New Year celebrations are traditionally the largest in the Midlands and last year more than 20,000 people visited throughout the day.

This year the event revolves around the Year of the Ox, second of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Those born under it are said to be patient and inspire confidence in others, but can be stubborn!

Hurst Street will be closed off for a Chinese market selling traditional goods and crafts and a full programme of events and entertainment starts at midday.

Dragons in Birmingham city centre

The Bai Ling Chinese Acrobatic Art Company UK and the Pak Ming Cantonese Opera will be performing and there will also be Kung Fu demonstrations, children's dances and New Year songs.

The full timetable for the day is below:

• 12:00 - Entrance of the Dragon & Firecrackers
• 12:25 - Speeches
• 12:35 - Chinese New Year Songs (Birmingham Chinese Women's Association)
• 12:45 - Children's Dances (Overseas Chinese Association School)
• 12:55 - Dragon Dance on Poles
• 13:10 - Karaoke Performance - Chinese New Year Songs
• 13:20 - Children's Dance (Birmingham Chinese School)
• 13:30 - Chinese Folk Dancing
• 13:35 - Cantonese Opera (Pak Ming Cantonese Opera)
• 13:50 - Kung Fu Demonstration
• 14:05 - Acrobatics Performance (Bai Ling Chinese Acrobatic Art Company UK Wu-Qiao, He-Bei Provincial Culture & Art Delegation of China
• 16:35 - Final Appearance of the Dragon Dance
• 17:00- Close

At the Arcadian

To look back at past Chinese New Year events in Birmingham, click the links below: